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	> Adoption Facts
Foster Care Adoption Facts F.A.Q. Myths & Misperceptions

Adoption is a permanent, legal transfer of all parental rights from one person or couple to another person or couple. Adoptive parents have the same rights and responsibilities as parents whose children were born to them.

The total cost of adoption varies depending upon a number of factors such as the type of adoption, the agency through which you work, the state in which you reside, attorney fees and whether travel is required.

 

Range of Adoption Costs  

Foster Care Adoptions $0 - $2,500

Licensed Private Agency Adoptions $5,000 - $40,000+

Independent Adoptions $8,000 - $40,000+

Intercountry Adoptions $7,000 - $30,000

(Source: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/s_cost/s_cost.cfm)

Loans and Grants: Loans or grants are available through a variety of organizations such as adoption agencies, foundations and banks.

 

Subsidies and Reimbursement: Each State has its own definition of children with special needs, but they often include children who are older, have disabilities, belong to a minority group, or must be placed with siblings. To facilitate the adoption of these children, who often are in foster care, States may provide reimbursements for some adoption costs, as well as subsidies for ongoing care for some children.

 

The Child Welfare Information Gateway factsheet, Adoption Assistance for Children Adopted from Foster Care, provides more information on subsidies. 
 

The North American Council on Adoptable Children’s Adoption Subsidy Resource Center provides general information on the subsidy program for each state or province.

 

View Financial Assistance resources for additional information.

Adoption Tax Credit: You may be able to take a tax credit for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child, including a child with special needs. The adoption credit is an amount subtracted from your tax liability. Learn more through the IRS website, http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html.

Employer benefits:  A number of companies and government agencies (local, county and state levels) offer adoption benefits as part of their benefits package. The benefits may be full or partial reimbursement for qualified adoption expenses and/or paid or unpaid time off during and after the adoption. You may wish to contact your Human Resources department to inquire about the availability of adoption benefits.

Many children are in foster care because they were removed from their families due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. The children might live temporarily with extended family, a foster family or in a group home while social workers try to help the birth family. If the birth family's problems cannot be resolved, the agency that has custody of the child goes to court to legally terminate parental rights. At this point, social workers try to find a safe and loving adoptive family for the child. Ages range from infant to teenager, although the average age is nine. Virtually every race, ethnic group, and socio-economic category is represented. Some children are waiting alone and others are waiting with siblings.

A public agency is the local branch of your state or county social service department that focuses on adoption of children within its custody. 

 

A private agency is state-licensed and may be for-profit or nonprofit and may or may not have a religious affiliation. Private agencies may specialize in domestic infant adoption, foster care adoption or international adoption.

Age restrictions for adoptive parents vary from state to state and with each agency and are sometimes based on the age of the child. Contact the local state agency to find out the guidelines in your state.

The military provides active-duty personnel a reimbursement for most one-time adoption costs up to $2,000 per child. The maximum amount available in a given year is $5,000, even if both parents are in the military. Reimbursement is made after the adoption is finalized. The National Military Family Association provides further information and resources.

 

Additional information about military families and adoption is available from the Child Welfare Information Gateway at (800) 394-3366.

Most states allow single parent adoption. Contact the local state agency to find out the guidelines in your state.

Most states allow gay/lesbian parent adoption. Several states allow gay/lesbian couples to adopt jointly. Contact the local state agency to find out the guidelines in your state.

Order the Foundation’s signature publication A Child is Waiting, A Beginner’s Guide to Adoption to learn about the adoption process and get local agency information to help you get started.

Many states provide photolistings of waiting children on their website. You may also visit the following web sites which feature photolistings of waiting children in several states / provinces:

 

There are many variables that determine how long it will take to complete the adoption process such as whether or not pre-adoptive classes are required, the length of time to complete the homestudy and the length of time to identify a child for your family. On average, the adoption process may take one to two years.

It is advised that you consult with an adoption attorney or contact the court in your county that handles adoption to learn about the requirements and the process. You may wish to refer to the Stepparent Adoption Factsheet for Families on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.